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THE United States, China, the Netherlands, Russia, Mexico, Latvia, and of course, Canada will have appointed teams who'll be competing in this year's ice carving competitions for the annual Ice On Whyte Festival. Mexico?! Anyways, the 11-day event will also include a skating rink, ice slides, an interactive children's play area, the indoor YESS Cafe, and the Northlands Stage featuring live storytelling and music, from Thursday, January 12 to Sunday, January 22 (2-10PM Mon-Fri/ 10AM-10PM Sat-Sun). $5 tickets ($2.50 ages 2-12/ free under 2) are available at the gate, which has relocated this season to the end of Steel Park, at 103 St. & Tommy Banks Way.

Speaking of winter festivals, Alberta Avenue (between 92 and 94 St.) will soon welcome Deep Freeze-A Byzantine Winter Festival, the free family celebration from Saturday, January 7 to Sunday, January 8. The 5th annual showcase is here to "celebrate the Russian/ Ukrainian 'Ode New Year' and embrace the cold northern climate by melding artistic panache with authentic cultural and heritage winter games and fun." This year's theme is "Surf's Up: A Snow to Sand Winter Adventure." Please bring a food donation for the Edmonton Food Bank.

More than 100 exhibitors will be at this year's Edmonton Bridal Fair, hosted by the Shaw Conference Centre on Sunday, January 15 (10AM-5PM). The one-day only event will offer fashion shows, professional advice, free samples, prizes, and more, all for $18 a pop (save $2 if you buy online).

The Edmonton Motorcycle Show will take over the Edmonton Expo Centre (Northlands) from Friday, January 13 to Sunday, January 15. The all-ages 3-day event will include exhibitors, stunt rides, autograph sessions (Team Empire), workshops, prizes, and live performances by Clayton Bellamy of The Road Hammers. Biker TV will be onsite at the show, Team Empire will perform stunts, and you can enter to win a 2012 Triumph America Motorcycle. Admission for the show are $13 for adults, $9.50 for juniors (6-15), and free for children under 6, although family passes (2 adults, 2 juniors) are also available for $35.

On Saturday, January 14 (7:30PM) the Alberta Avenue Community Hall will host Cnwa Monster Pro Wrestling. Doors open at 6:30, and ringside seats are available for $14.95 at Ticketmaster. The show will return to the Hall on the first Saturday of February-May.

If you're just in the mood for some music, then there's plenty of upcoming concerts in January: Sean Sonego (see video below) @ the Haven Social Club (the 6th @ 8PM), The Jim Cuddy Band with Doug Paisley @ the Jubilee Auditorium (the 13th @ 8PM), Dead in Memphis @ the Brixx Bar & Grill (the 20th @ 7PM), Run Stop Run @ the Yardbird Suite (the 21st @ 9PM), Catgut @ Wunderbar (the 22nd @ 8:30PM), City and Colour @ the Jubilee (the 25th & 26th @ 8PM), Theory of a Deadman @ the Jubilee (the 27th @ 7:30PM), Second EdJe @ the Yardbird (the 27th @ 9PM), Neal McCoy @ Century Casino (the 28th @ 8PM), and the Ori Dakari Quartet @ the Yardbird (the 28th @ 9PM). Tickets for most of these shows are available @ Ticketmaster.

New movies this Friday include The Devil Inside (wide release), Players @ Movies 12, The Bridge on the River Kwai @ North Cineplex, and Hansel & Gretel @ South Edmonton Common. For all other movies and showtimes in and around Edmonton click here.

Below is an original composition by 18-year-old Edmonton singer-songwriter Sean Sonego, who will be performing January 6th at the Haven Social Club (8PM).

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